The use of cationic biopolymer surfaces for high protein binding affinity matrices is described in the original research paper. As model proteins, fluorescently labeled bovine serum albumins (FITC-BSA, TRITC-BSA) have been employed. The amount of proteins on such cationically rendered surfaces was quantified by QCM-D. In addition, flexible, transparent, patterned COP slides have been prepared and loaded with proteins ranging from 15 pM to 15 μM TRITC-BSA.
COBISS.SI-ID: 17276438
A system of permanent magnets, similar to those used for scale prevention during water processing, was tested as an alternative to induce some improvements during the textile laundering procedure. In this comparative study, four sets of 25 runs of standard laundering were performed on white cotton under repeatable conditions: a set washed only with tap water, then with added standard IEC detergent, a set with magnetically treated water without the detergent, and then a set in a combination of both. Samples were analyzed on texture morphology by scanning electron microscopy, mineral fouling by X-ray diffractometry, and fabric characteristics, as prescribed by the standard procedure for the laundering effects' evaluation, i.e. dimensional change, breaking-strength, incineration residue, and color characteristics. It was indicated that magnetic water treatment modified the detergency and the mineral fouling, resulting in increased whiteness of cotton. It also slightly increased the reduction in the breaking strength, but this was still inside the standard quality requirements.
COBISS.SI-ID: 16816150
Article presents a novel systematic approach to the fabrication of highly functionalized SiO2 nanoparticles used for the adsorption of heavy-metal ions. Almost monodispersed silica (SiO2) nanoparticles with narrow particle size distributions of around 85 ± 5 nm were formed using the Stöber process. The prepared SiO2 nanoparticles were successfully surface-treated by the covalent attachment of mercaptopropyl groups onto the surfaces of the SiO2 nanoparticles. A FTIR spectra and TEM/EDXS analysis confirmed the binding of the mercaptosilane molecules. The final results for the heavy-metal adsorption showed the strongest affinity within the following sequence Hg2+ (99.9%) ) Pb2+ (55.9%) ) Cd2+ (50.2%) ) Zn2+ (4%).
COBISS.SI-ID: 17236758
Phenolic acids are known to possess antioxidant activities whilst chitosan is a biocompatible polymer with antibacterial activity against a broad spectrum of bacteria. Merging both types of molecules could therefore provide several potential applications. In this work, antioxidant properties of phenolic acid-functionalized-chitosan were investigated after being prepared from structurally-different phenolic acids (caffeic and gallic acids) and chitosan using the laccase from Trametes versicolor as the reaction initiator. A laccase-mediated oxidation kinetic of phenolic acids was monitored by UV-Vis spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry, as well as spin-trapping electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (ST-EPR). The pH was shown to have a significant effect on the degree of phenolic acid self-polymerization, indicating the involvement of phenolate anions within the formations of coupled polyphenol products, and their functionalities, i.e. antioxidant activity. All the phenolic acid-functionalized-chitosans displayed greatly improved ABTS radical cation scavenging capacities, compared with the untreated chitosan.
COBISS.SI-ID: 16593686
Photochromic organic dyes can be widely used in materials for optically rewritable data storage, photonic switches, memories, sensors, or actuators. In recent years photochromic materials based on nanoparticles became particularly focused, since they can be dispersed in colloidal aqueous suspensions or incorporated in thin films, avoiding problems of light scattering or shallow light penetration in bulk materials. Spiropyrans, spirooxazines and diarylethenes were by far the most researched photochromes in nanoparticulate systems. Great effort was made to investigate photochromic dyes incorporated into organic nanoparticles via self-assembly strategies, covalent linkage or dispersion of the molecular species in polymers (doping). Nanoparticles composed of solely photochromic dyes were prepared by laser ablation and reprecipitation techniques. Photochromic dyes were microencapsulated by self-assembly, soap free-, emulsion/ microemulsion/miniemulsion or free radical- (co)polymerization. Sol-gel processing from silane precursors to poly(organo)siloxane matrix is a common method to synthesize doped or core-shell photochromic organogels. Colored forms of some photochromes display fluorescence; however, a more effective strategy for fluorescence modulation with photochromic molecules is integrating them, covalently or noncovalently, with a separate fluorophore in the same nanoparticles. These photoresponsive nanoparticles may find applications particularly in biological fields such as cell labelling and bioimaging. The purpose of this review is to summarize the preparation methods of organic nanoparticles containing photochromic dyes and to investigate their typical properties derived from their nanoparticulate character.
COBISS.SI-ID: 17107990